Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'invites Gary Neville to take Man Utd committee role' despite criticism of the Glazers

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has invited Gary Neville to take up a role on a committee overseeing the Old Trafford regeneration, according to a new report.

Ratcliffe's approximate 27.7 per cent share in United was ratified and officially announced on Tuesday evening.

The British billionaire and his petrochemicals company, INEOS, will take over the club's footballing operations.

In an official statement to the club's website, Ratcliffe said: "To become co-owner of Manchester United is a great honour and comes with great responsibility.

"This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans.

"Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today."

According to The Times, United have invited Neville to join a special committee, which will oversee the regeneration of Old Trafford.

One of Ratcliffe's key priorities upon taking up his minority ownership role is to improve the club's historic stadium, which fans believe is in dire need of an upgrade following years of stagnation under the Glazers.

According to the Daily Mail, Ratcliffe's project has been dubbed the 'Wembley of the North', and could cost around £2 billion.

The Times claim that Neville has had meetings with United's chief operating officer, Collette Roche, about the role.

It is unclear as to whether the England legend would accept any official offer, but the report says that there is an understanding that the former United right-back would have no interest in any role that would conflict with his work for Sky Sports.

Neville, who has been a critic of the Glazer family over the years, has already praised Ratcliffe for his early changes, and told Sky Sports: "For 10 years, every Manchester United manager operated without a CEO, without a sporting director, without a director of football.

"That is madness, forget negligence, that's just madness! Obviously Jim Ratcliffe is coming in and appointing a CEO that has actually been at a football club before and everyone is applauding him for it - that's staggering.

"I can't believe it hasn't happened already. It would never be allowed to happen at another football club."